NEARLY HALFWAY to paradise. It has been an excellent week for the Community Links and Newham Recorder Christmas Toy Appeal for 2009. We have now amassed the equivalent of almost 6,200 gifts, which is a great achievement. And it means we need another

NEARLY HALFWAY to paradise. It has been an excellent week for the Community Links and Newham Recorder Christmas Toy Appeal for 2009.

We have now amassed the equivalent of almost 6,200 gifts, which is a great achievement. And it means we need another 6,300 toys to ensure no child is left out at this special time of year.

But we now have less than two weeks to reach our target. And that works out that we need 450 toys EVERY DAY between now and December 23.

It really is a massive task as for the 32nd year we run the appeal in conjunction with the group that is at the heart of local life in our borough, care organisation Community Links.

Toys and donations have come in from all quarters of the borough as you can read on this page. But we need more now, writes COLIN GRAINGER, Editor..

Newham Chamber of Commerce signed up following a presentation from Links' Kevin Jenkins and agreed to stage a "bring a toy collection" at their monthly breakfast meeting on Friday December 18.

And The BMF Better Biking Region 5 team are staging their annual toy run on Saturday December 12. They are leaving Strattone H-D, in Loxham Road, Chingford, at 12.30pm and another group of bikers will leave the King's Oak pub in High Beach, Essex, at 12pm. Bikers are invited to come along with a toy or toys and enjoy the ride and make a child's Christmas special.

With help from the BMF, Essex HOG, VSOC and riders who want to make a difference, the event is always very special.

Newham Council last week launched their support behind our appeal. Kevin Jenkins, Links Co-Founder Senior Advisor, and Newham Chief Executive Joe Duckworth and Sir Robin agreed the link up

Kevin said: "The appeal for local disadvantaged children aims to provide for each child referred, a bag of gifts to open on Christmas morning. The children are referred by a combination of all Newham's caring and family support organisations ensuring that the appeal reaches those most in need.

"Links and the Recorder run the appeal for the whole borough and it is recognised across Newham as the major bringer of Christmas happiness to Newham's most disadvantaged."

Mr Duckworth said: "It is a fantastic appeal which the Council will support the appeal by organising a toy collection around the Christmas tree at Newham Dockside In previous years the Mayor laid his personal donation of gifts at the tree in East Ham Town Hall. He will give again."

Added Kevin: "This year the level of need is far greater than ever before due to the effects of the recession on local unemployment.

"Even more concerning is that many of our regular business supporters have either gone out of business or become unstable and will not be in a position to help this year."

We need YOUR help and we need it NOW. Please do all you can.